Thermal housing for optical circuits

Abstract

A housing for optical integrated circuits for protecting the circuit from temperature induced stresses has a base and cap and a thermal bed contained therein. The thermal bed has a region for containing the integrated circuit therein, suspended in a thermally conductive grease. At least one heater is affixed to the thermal bed for heating it, and temperature monitoring apparatus is included for supplying signals to a control apparatus for activating the heater when the temperature of the thermal bed falls outside of the operating temperature range.

I claim: 
     
       1. A housing for an optical component comprising: a base member;   a first layer of thermal insulating material within said housing;   a thermal bed member supported within said base member on said layer, said thermal bed member having first and second legs spaced from each other defining a slit which holds an optical integrated circuit within said housing;   a thermally conductive material within said slit which holds the optical component in substantially stress free suspension within said slit substantially covered by said legs;   a heater member for heating said thermal bed mounted on at least one of said legs;   a second layer of thermal insulating material overlying said thermal bed; and   a cap member for combining with said base member to produce a closed housing for enclosing the optical component within said housing.   
     
     
       2. A housing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heater means is mounted on both of said first and second legs. 
     
     
       3. A housing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermal bed comprises a substantially U-shaped thermally conductive. 
     
     
       4. A housing as claimed in claim 3 wherein said U-shape member is aluminum. 
     
     
       5. A housing as claimed in claim claim 1 wherein said thermally conductive material comprises a silvered silicone grease. 
     
     
       6. A housing as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a temperature monitoring device on one of said legs. 
     
     
       7. A housing as claimed in claim 6 and further comprising a control circuit for receiving temperature indications from said temperature monitoring device, and activating said heater means to achieve a specified temperature within the range of 75° C. to 90° C. 
     
     
       8. A housing as claimed in claim 7 wherein said control circuit is external of the housing and electrically connected to said monitoring device and said heater means. 
     
     
       9. A housing as claimed in claim 7 wherein said control circuit is contained within said housing and is electrically connected to said monitoring device and said heater means. 
     
     
       10. A thermal housing for an optical component for maintaining the component at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range substantially independent of ambient temperature, said housing comprising: a base member;   a thermal bed member;   means for thermally insulating said thermal bed member from said base member and for supporting said thermal bed member therein;   said thermal bed member having first and second legs spaced from each other defining a slit which holds and substantially covers an optical component;   thermally conductive means within said slit which holds an optical component in suspension within said slit;   heater means for heating said thermal bed member in contact with said thermal bed member;   temperature sensitive means for monitoring the temperature of said thermal bed and generating electrical signals indicative thereof;   a control circuit for receiving signals from said temperature sensitive means and actuating said heater means to maintain the temperature of said thermal bed within said predetermined temperature range; and   a cap member adapted to mate with said base member for enclosing the optical component within said thermal housing.   
     
     
       11. A thermal housing as claimed in claim 10 wherein said temperature range is 75° C. to 90° C. 
     
     
       12. A thermal housing as claimed in claim 10 wherein the optical component has first and second optical fiber members connected thereto and said housing has channeled apertures through which the optical fiber members pass. 
     
     
       13. A thermal housing as claimed in claim 10 wherein said base member has a plurality of feed through pins for electrically connecting the interior of said housing to the exterior thereof. 
     
     
       14. A thermal housing as claimed in claim 13 wherein said control circuit is exterior of said housing and is connected to said temperature sensitive means and said heater means by means of said feed through pins. 
     
     
       15. A thermal housing as claimed in claim 10 wherein said control circuit is contained within said housing. 
     
     
       16. A thermal housing for an optical component for maintaining the component at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, said housing comprising: a base member;   a thermal bed member;   means for thermally insulating said thermal bed from said base member and for supporting a thermal bed member therein;   said thermal bed member having first and second legs spaced from each other defining a slit for holding an optical component;   thermally conductive means within said slit for holding the optical component within said slit;   heater means for heating said thermal bed in contact with said thermal bed member;   temperature sensitive means for monitoring the temperature of said thermal bed member and generating electrical signals indicative thereof;   a control circuit for receiving signals from said temperature sensitive means and actuating said heater means to maintain the temperature of said thermal bed member within said predetermined temperature range;   said control circuit being formed on a ribbon conductor and connected to said heater means and said temperature sensitive means thereby, and   a cap member adapted to mate within said base member.   
     
     
       17. A thermal housing as claimed in claim 16 wherein said ribbon conductor extends from said control circuit through a slit in said housing to the exterior thereof.